Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1903 — ALL FOR A TITLE; or THE BANKER’S WARD. [ARTICLE]

ALL FOR A TITLE; or THE BANKER’S WARD.

By ALBERT H. MODRICKER,

Author of

Mjohn Q. Keiffer A C 0.," " Won By Strategy,” ” Tha Tramp’■ Stroks,” “No. 2,001,” Etc. Copyright. IW. By Caicaao Knnfim Uaioa.

CHAPTER Vlll.—(Continued.) “What to the number stamped on the MtlP **l haven't the faintest idea. Why, MMta, trhat has that to do with it?” “A great deal, perhaps, my boy,” ww at hto aacle; and, whipping ont hie memanatom book, he glanced at the figures vaSftea therein and given to him by Maiaten, daring their eonvemitlon, end mn|HTsrl the figures with those stamped «B the bill One glance was sufficient krtk number* corresponded! The bosom at the old gentleman heaved with supgeeaaet excitement, and, retreating a step er two, he addressed Victor in a trembling voice: “What! You have done this to yoor gather? Degraded yourself to a common criminal? A misguided eon who cares nothing for the feelings of a father’s heart! You can consider yourself discharged!” “Uncle, of what do you accuse me? What do you mean?” “Of theft!" answered the banker. “And who is the accuser?” “Mr. Marsden! He intimated that you bad taken money from his coat. Can yon deny it?” “Uncle.” exclaimed Victor, imploring- *, “I did not steal the money and Manton lasers it. lam made the victim of Iba nrnisrlrn r of a man who plotted my vain and I have not the power to extricate myaelf." “Than laava the city. Marsden may mgiat fads leniency and prosecuta you; therefore, you had .not better wait until gee whole town »corns you,” and without seating another look upon his nephew Harold Raymond hastily left the house. yiotor remained motionless and attoaepted to penetrate the plot. His mind ••a Mie different channels, but he could bag bo moans by which ho could extriaots himself from the meshes. He stood baton a yawning abyss; hs Imagined he sow tbs despairing face of his mother, tbs unutterable anguish of hia father, ant Bis hopeful dreams of his future Their little secret had come to a terrible termination. Marsden had detected ft and taken revenge. He did not wish be expose Beatrice; and who would belts* tbe simple, unsubstantiated statement of an employe against that of Marsden in case he dared te attack hie honesty. The outlook seemed Indeed gloomy to Victor Raymond; and in utter apathy he ftneliy left the room. Irresistibly he felt himself drawn to the kind heart of his lather, and yet, hie soul was convulsed •s he reached the gate to hia home—bis parents coaid not offer him any am tot - •nee. CHAPTER IX. Slowly the horse* made their way «inMi|t the dark night, guided by the lander. Julia very coon was on apparently friendly terms with her captor, who followed In the wake of Kenneth Lathrop, who had charge of her still unconscious mlstrose As the road was rough and rocky, they did not mako much headway. Finally they arrived before a large building from whose windows e faint glimmer of light was cast upon the road. Hnsdly had the party reached the gate, when a servant appeared ait the door and •bmnwed towards the masked men and the nnconsciou* Beatrice. She w«a ex•setfnfiy reticent. Perhaps she had received her orders from Count Bozell t* perform her duties in silence. She conducted our friends to the upper story end opened a door to Kenneth without saying a word. Julia followed and assisted her lover Inlaying Beatrice upon a couch. During this maneuver Kenneth had succeeded la rarreptltiouriy giving Jolla a slip of paper, which she at once secreted. Then be left the room la company with the strange servant. With anxiety Julia gazed upon Beaerice’s pallid features; her still closed •yes increased her fears, and she attempted to revive her by rubbing her brow and temples with wet cloth*. At ghat moment the servant reappeared and

placed a tray containing tea and same luncheon on the table. She noticed Beatrice's beautiful head reclining on tho sofa pillows, end gave Julia a small vial, and after touching her brow and lips, bowed herself courteously from the room. The maid quickly comprehended her meaning, and, after putting a teaspoonful of the liquid between Beatrice’s •amproceed Hpe, bathed tjie icy, cold foe*, la a few minutes Beatrice slowly opened tim ayes. *•••••• “Wall, boys,” said Kenneth, addressftig the men after leaving Beatrice and Jabs, “I presume that the quicker sre •tea) away tbe better. We hare been w*D paid and none of us would care to be found her* If the police came. We u* better disperse quietly and singly at sac*. After tola kidnaping bnslneas the etr will not remain clear very long. By toe way, stoat has become of the luggager “It nuc be with the horses yet,” said a companion. “We most carry It into the house. Bowerse, leer* the matter to me. I srtok kp gat another look at that bieck«yed maid." Boisterous laughter followed these weeds, and then they left the scene. Aa eooa as they were at a safe distance Kenneth also mounted fais bone, bat s*d* la an opposite direction. At last he entered a email inn which had barn aeeupied by his parents a long ton*. They wet* greatly surprised to gae him et sato a late boor, bat be quickftr explained toe object of his call and toffotnd If thay could give room to a yeeng lady whom he would like to bring “Her happiness, bar life, depends open year discretion,” he explained further. “Nobody most knew of her U - tag place By tfala means we can pertops mre bar from a terrible fate” “I felly approve of yoor sets, stoat-

ever they may be, without any further details, my boy. I know you to be brave and honest; therefore, conduct your charge hare whenever yon wish.” Kenneth grasped his father’s hand with grateful gratitude and made answer: ”1 bad calculated upon your assistance, dear father, and render my tincere thanks.” “How soon do yon Intend to eondoet her here?" Inquired his mother, curiosity shown on her face. "And where to she now?” “As soon as I can, mother. You Remember the old house in the forest, not for from the mill? Well, H belongs to Count Bozell, and Julia and her mistress are held captive there.” “May heaven help them,” murmured Mrs. Lathrop. “Poor girls. What do you intend to do?” “I will save them. Marsden, the wealthy banker of Easton, wishes his step-daughter to marry Count Bozell. She doea not desire to do so; and it is for this reason nhe was brought there—to force her into a marriage with Bozell agalnet her will. Bat time is up, I must return at once in order to bring them here. In the morning father will accompany ua to the station, and, while I keep guard over Julie and Beatrice, he will purchase tickets. I know a person In London who will keep the young lady until Julia and I are married, and, when she la once with us, there will be no necessity of concealing her whereabouts. But, I dar# say, dear mother, you will not get much aieep to-night,” he added, and bidding them farewell, he mounted ids horse and rode quickly away. • •••••• Beatrice gazed upon her surroundings in great bewilderment. The scene in the forest came to her mind like the recollection of a bad dream, from which she had been rudely awakened. Tbe faithful Julia came to her assistance again and clasping Beatrice’s hand caressed it fondly. “Where are we, Julia? What has happened? My thoughts chase each other no wildly that I cannot control them. Have I been sick?” “No, dear lady, you have only yielded to a temporary weakness You must collect yourself and bring into action all your will power, for what has happened requires your courage for the future.” “Oh, yes; I have an idea; but teM me, dear Julia, in whose house nre we?" “It belongs to Count Bozell. He is not here now, bat we may expect him aoon." “Count Bozell!” she repeated sceffnfully. “I will not remain here one minute. How could you permit me to be brought here?” Then sadden]/ Ae remembered the interrupted journey, the mashed men who stopped fibs carriage, and she began to think. “My resistance was in vain—there were too many of theim. Yes, I can now comprehend everything—they never intended that we should arrive at the Stnatmome’a, and for this reason secured this carriage, which I now believe belongs to Count Bozell. I could hare sur mised it, but the thought never came to me of attributing such actions to my ■tep-father in conjunction with the count —for he and Marsden it was who planned this business, in order to force me to consent to their wishes. I can plainly see the brink into which they have brought me, and I cannot even apprise Victor of my situation.” “Do not become discouraged, dear lady. Kenneth will help us; he ia near at hand.” Then Julia recollected the slip of paper. She did not wish to mention Kenneth’s part in the hold-up, and read the letter slowly: “Be ready at midnight I will rescue you. Count Bozell will remain at Easton until to-morrow.” That was all, but it was enough to inspire them with hope. “Everything now depends upon your presence of mind and discretion. Please do not forget it, dear lady,” said Julia. “This time I shall be more brave.” “And we must not speak one word aloud; but silently follow Kenneilh. Only think bow much depends on your composure. But listen! Was not that a low whistle? Ye*; that is Kenneth. He was to notify us of his proximity half an hour before midnight. How slowly time passes when one stops to count the minutes. Only Imagine, dear lady, how the count will storm and rage when he finds hia plans have miscarried!” and JnUa, laughing, began, In imagination, to Imitate the count's actions. “Do not triumph too early; we are not free yet, and who can tell if we ever will be?” “I trust my Kenneth; and yon can confide in him also, for I know he will keep hia promise.” But her confidence might have been severely shaken, if she could have looked into a room in the basement, where Kenneth kept up a conversation with the black-eyed French maid. He had taken off his mask and hia attractive features, with their faithful, honest eyes, had impressed her deeply. She had ordered the other eervente to retire and invited Kenneth to sap with her and brought forth some lemonade which had evidently been intended for the new guest a. Kenneth retoed his gltae from the table, and toen suddenly Inclined hie head and gave the girl to understand that evidently some one was at the door or stirring in the house. At her departure from he room he quickly emptied the contents of a small vial into the glees, and as soon as toe re-entered, be gladly admitted that he meet have been mistaken, jesting heartily with Ms companion. Ever} once in a while hto eyes wandered to tbe dock, and than he let a glance fill upon tbe heavier and heavier drooping eyelids of Ms companion until they dosed tritoriy and deep respiration Indicated the perfect sleep. Wtthout costing s second took agon the Ttoto IM, he toned sad left the room.

bolted the door and stealthily eeoeniei the stain. CHAPTER X. Mention's sot of branding a fellow being as a thief began to torture him, and ha fait the remorse the more as be began te realise the baseness of his plot. Meanwhile, Count Bozell hod not failed to inquire of Edward Follet as to .the execution of his behest*, and ni the report exceeded hto most sanguine expectations, be arrived in time to dine with into friend. Both bad mutually concocted their plena that morning while on their way to the bank. The count stated that his servants could do the job. “But can yon depend on them?” ventured Marsden. “Baht” replied Boaell, ”1 know my servants, end I always take care to select fellows whose past btoavior forces them to do my bidding and be discreet. When a person gains control over each persons they can be handled more easily than by buying their silence. The boys will be well paid, however, apd will execute my orders, never fear. This conversation, although spoken la a low voice, was not so low but that Kenneth’a acute eafs caught their ful meaning. As to known, Kenneth La* tUirop had promised hto love that ha would keep an eye on the count The way from Marsden’a residence extended for a distance along the side of the walls of s park. Kenneth was on the other side of this wall, cautiously keeping equal steps with the two men on the walk, and overheard their plans. At the end of five or ten minutes, Maieden and Bozell turned off from the street, and Kenneth having heard enough and tnking in the situation, hastened at once to mingle and ingratiate himself with the count’s servants, moot of whom he knew personally. Shortly afterward he was nsked by one of them to participate in what the count designated as a “mad frolic.” Anxiously, though apparently reluctant, Kenneth accepted the invitation, and in an adroit manner managed to appoint himself their leader, and played hto pari with great skill. It was late in the evening when the empty vehicle with the count’s groom—■ the first messenger from the ecene In the forest —arrived. Count Bozell at once called him to his side and questioned: "Where nre the others?” “We did not re«turn in n body,” replied the groom, “as we feared it might attract attention, so we came singly. The kidnaping affair went through as nmoothly ns those recorded in novels, even to the inevitable swooning of the lady and the resistance of her companion.” “Ah! a little straggle, then? But tell me. James, what of the maid, Julia? She must disappear—her presence is not needed.” “I have a brother who intends to leave the country. I presume if you will usea little peieuaslon in the shape of bank notes he might marry the girl—bake her with him," the groom intimated. “Not a bad idea. I will study it over. You may go now; but mark, not one word about this.” (To be continued.)